Peace and Justice Party candidates at Flat Iron Co-op on Sept. 28
BELLOWS FALLS - The Flat Iron Cooperative at 51 The Square will host a Meet the Candidates Event on Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon to 3 p.m.
This event is offered as part of the Cooperative's commitment to offer educational opportunities to the community and support participation in democracy.
Organizers say two statewide candidates from the Peace and Justice Party (formerly Liberty Union Party) will be available "to hear your concerns, answer questions, and engage in discussions.
"Justin Schoville practices law in Killington and is a candidate for U.S. Senate. He supports democracy in both political and economic aspects of our lives.
"June Goodband is a candidate for governor who believes that every person matters and advocates shifting our priorities to make sure every person in Vermont can meet their basic needs."
For more information, contact Geetu Melwani at gmelwanti888@gmail.com.
RFPL hosts discussion circle about incarceration
BELLOWS FALLS - On Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m., the Rockingham Free Public Library will host a discussion circle exploring the realities of life while incarcerated, the challenges of re-entering society afterwards, and the meaningfulness of creating art during these life adjustments.
Two women who work closely with incarcerated persons in Vermont - Heather Newcomb of Vermont Works for Women and Mel Dawson of Greater Falls Community Justice Center - will share their perspectives and answer any questions. A number of formerly incarcerated persons might also join in. The public is invited to take part in this conversation.
For more information on this free event, contact programming@rockinghamlibrary.org or 802-463-4270, or stop by the library at 65 Westminster St.
Electric Car Cruise-In planned in Chester
CHESTER - Are you curious about electric vehicles? The Green Team from First Universalist Parish in Chester and the Country Girl Diner are co-hosting an Electric Vehicle "Cruise In" Saturday, Sept. 28, from 4 until 6:30 p.m. at the Country Girl Diner parking lot on Route 103.
Anyone with an EV is encouraged to "cruise in" and several dealers from the area, attending with new EVs, will be available to answer questions. "This event offers an opportunity to ask folks who drive EVs what they love about their cars, besides being gas-free and low maintenance," organizers said. "There are several incentives for folks to purchase electric vehicles, so now is a great time to find out more if you have been thinking about making the switch."
All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served (the diner, however, is not open for dinner). For more information and/or to register your EV for the event, go to bit.ly/783-ev or call Melody Reed at 802-875-5414.
Discover Putney presents Main Street Festival
PUTNEY - Discover Putney will present a Main Street Festival on Sunday, Sept. 29.
"Broadly speaking, this is a day to celebrate Putney businesses," the nonprofit organization says in a news release. "In addition to the usual Sunday activities in Putney (Farmers Market, Food Truck Roundup, etc.), we are hosting a vendor fair, children's activities, scavenger hunt, and a concert on the Tavern Lawn."
Here's the schedule of activities:
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Putney Farmers Market (Putney Co-op).
• 2 to 5 p.m., Putney Business Vendor Fair and children's activities (Yellow Barn lawn), Food and Drink Fair (Tavern Green).
• 2 to 6 p.m., Food Truck Roundup (Rod's).
• 5 to 6 p.m., Stockwell Brothers concert (Tavern Green). All events are free, thanks to a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation.
Through special projects, bi-monthly gatherings, and advocacy for Putney businesses, Discover Putney says it "strives to enhance beauty, functionality, inclusiveness, and prosperity of Putney by making downtown a place people want to live, work, visit and spend time." Find out more at discoverputney.com.
Main Street Arts String Band will play at Saxtons River Park
SAXTONS RIVER - The Saxtons River Park rounds out its Music in the Park series Sunday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m., with the Main Street Arts String Band. Under the direction of Jill Newton, the group offers traditional French Canadian, Celtic, Scandinavian, and American fiddle tunes.
The String Band meets at Main Street Arts every Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and welcomes string players of any level of proficiency to sit in on their sessions.
Concerts in the series are open to all. In case of rain, the concert will move across the street to Main Street Arts. Notice of rescheduling will be posted on the Saxtons River and Saxtons River Park Facebook pages.
Richard Brady reads from 'Short Journey Home' at Putney Library
PUTNEY - On Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m., join Putney resident, longtime teacher and mindfulness practitioner, Richard Brady, for a reading of his latest book, Short Journey Home: Awakening to Freedom with Thich Nhat Hanh, at Putney Public Library, 55 Main St.
Short Journey Home presents a story of transformation, rooted in Brady's 34-year practice with Thich Nhat Hanh. Brady invites readers to accompany him in experiences and lessons learned, offering accounts of time with Thich Nhat Hanh and senior monastics, relating successes and challenges of community building, practicing with family, being with death, and sharing mindfulness practice with others.
Brady grounds his stories in direct teachings offered by Thich Nhat Hanh, relating them to some of Nhat Hanh's most powerful lessons on subjects like impermanence, interbeing, and transformation. Brady taught high school math at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., for 34 years. On retiring, he and his partner El Dearborn moved to Putney, where they founded the Mountains and Rivers Mindfulness Community.
This event is co-presented with Everyone's Books of Brattleboro, who will be selling copies of Brady's book that evening.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.